The concept of a "personal" gospel

[PastorCAT]

Just recently a congregant informed me that he had a "personal" gospel and the gospel found in the NT was much narrow than necessary... My response was to spend some time in the book of Galatians with Paul... Curious as to how you might have responded to this individual. Here is a short Vlog on this topic...

 

[MB]

Just recently a congregant informed me that he had a "personal" gospel and the gospel found in the NT was much narrow than necessary... My response was to spend some time in the book of Galatians with Paul... Curious as to how you might have responded to this individual. Here is a short Vlog on this topic...

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
MB

 

[The Biblicist]

Just recently a congregant informed me that he had a "personal" gospel and the gospel found in the NT was much narrow than necessary... My response was to spend some time in the book of Galatians with Paul... Curious as to how you might have responded to this individual. Here is a short Vlog on this topic...

Any gospel that is not the Biblical gospel is a false gospel and the only sense the Biblical gospel can be your own "personal" gospel is in the sense of personal application, but in that sense it is the "personal" gospel of all of God's elect.

 

[FollowTheWay]

Just recently a congregant informed me that he had a "personal" gospel and the gospel found in the NT was much narrow than necessary... My response was to spend some time in the book of Galatians with Paul... Curious as to how you might have responded to this individual. Here is a short Vlog on this topic...

I think there are some beliefs common today that are easily identified as non-Biblical. One of these is the view that there are "many ways to God." Anything that doesn't center on the fact that Christ is the only way to God is heretical. But there are questions of interpretation that still remain. For instance, is the doctrine of "Eternal Security" a valid one? Most Christian groups would say no. Southern Baptists for the most part say no. Will there be one final judgement during which everyone's life will be examined, Christians and non-Christians alike, or will there be separate judgments, one for the saved who will be given crowns and one for the damned?

Where are the answers to the questions to be found? In a creed? Why did Paul say this?
[Phl 2:12 KJV] 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

I still accept the old Baptist belief in "the Priesthood of the Believer." Ultimately, I believe it is each person's responsibility to prayerfully examine their own beliefs with Biblical guidance under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

I also believe that each of our salvations are personal to the extent that they involve a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Van]

I think there are some beliefs common today that are easily identified as non-Biblical. One of these is the view that there are "many ways to God." Anything that doesn't center on the fact that Christ is the only way to God is heretical. But there are questions of interpretation that still remain. For instance, is the doctrine of "Eternal Security" a valid one? Most Christian groups would say no. Southern Baptists for the most part say no. Will there be one final judgement during which everyone's life will be examined, Christians and non-Christians alike, or will there be separate judgments, one for the saved who will be given crowns and one for the damned?

Where are the answers to the questions to be found? In a creed? Why did Paul say this?
[Phl 2:12 KJV] 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

I still accept the old Baptist belief in "the Priesthood of the Believer." Ultimately, I believe it is each person's responsibility to prayerfully examine their own beliefs with Biblical guidance under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

I also believe that each of our salvations are personal to the extent that they involve a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hi Follow the Way, I did not watch the Vlog, but Philippians 2:12 has more than one interpretation.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (NASB)

Does this mean do something to achieve salvation in Christ, or sustain it, or does this refer to the facet of our salvation where we earn rewards through good works such that we enter heaven "abundantly."

I think this verse refers to after we are born anew, and became a new creation for good works. We strive to become more Christ-like, and we strive to serve the ministry of Christ as His ambassadors. Our fear and trembling comes from our love and devotion to Christ, such that we are fearful of dishonoring Him.

 

[FollowTheWay]

Hi Follow the Way, I did not watch the Vlog, but Philippians 2:12 has more than one interpretation.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (NASB)

Does this mean do something to achieve salvation in Christ, or sustain it, or does this refer to the facet of our salvation where we earn rewards through good works such that we enter heaven "abundantly."

I think this verse refers to after we are born anew, and became a new creation for good works. We strive to become more Christ-like, and we strive to serve the ministry of Christ as His ambassadors. Our fear and trembling comes from our love and devotion to Christ, such that we are fearful of dishonoring Him.

I completely agree that being born-again resulting in our relationship with Jesus will result in us becoming more like him and be reflected in the way we treat others. No, nothing we can do can merit salvation. It was all done on the cross and given to us through grace by faith. But, simply calling His name without being born again is not a true salvation experience and neither is going good works in our own name. It must all be for the glory of God. Perhaps this is not the best verse to support this but I also believe that ultimately we are responsible for discerning the gospel message. No seminary professor, pastor or creed can do that for us.